Occupancy Limits: Chelsea vs Revere
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Chelsea, MA and Revere, MA?
Chelsea and Revere have similar restriction levels.
Chelsea, MA
Suffolk County
Chelsea's Short-Term Rental Application caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom (children under 12 related to or the legal ward of a bedroom occupant are not counted) and limits Limited-Share Units to a maximum of 3 bedrooms offered, with one bedroom reserved for the operator. Owner-Adjacent Units must be rented as a whole to a single party.
View full Chelsea rules →Revere, MA
Suffolk County
Revere Code Chapter 8.09 (Short-Term Rentals, adopted August 24, 2020) caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom up to a maximum of six people total, exclusive of children under age 12. Only entire residential units owned by an operator who maintains a Revere primary residence may be rented; rooms or partial units are prohibited.
View full Revere rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chelsea | Revere |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Bedroom Cap | 2 persons per bedroom | 2 persons / bedroom |
| Children Exemption | Under 12 (related/ward) not counted | - |
| Limited-Share Max Bedrooms | 3 (operator must keep 1) | - |
| Owner-Adjacent Units | Whole-unit, one party only | - |
| Owner Presence | Required for Limited-Share | - |
| Daily Violation Fine | $300/day | - |
| Local STR Code | - | Revere Code Ch. 8.09 (Aug 24, 2020) |
| Total Cap | - | 6 guests max |
| Children Excluded | - | Under age 12 |
| Unit Type | - | Entire unit only - no rooms |
| Annual Calendar Cap | - | 6 months total / year |
| Recordkeeping | - | 3-year guest log required |
| State Sanitary Code | - | 105 CMR 410 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chelsea FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Chelsea short-term rental?
The Chelsea Short-Term Rental Application caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom. A 2-bedroom rental is limited to 4 guests. Children under 12 who are related to, or the legal ward of, either bedroom occupant are not counted toward the limit.
Can I rent out my whole house in Chelsea on Airbnb when I am away?
Generally no. Chelsea only allows Limited-Share Units (you must be present, with one bedroom reserved for you and no more than 3 bedrooms offered) and Owner-Adjacent Units (a separate unit inside your owner-occupied 2- or 3-family home or condo). Standalone whole-unit absentee rentals are not permitted.
What happens if I exceed the Chelsea STR occupancy cap?
Each violation is fined $300 per day under the STR ordinance, enforced by Inspectional Services (617-466-4142). Three or more noise, trash, or disorderly conduct violations within one year also disqualify the operator from registering or re-registering the unit.
Revere FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Revere short-term rental?
Revere Code Chapter 8.09 caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom up to a maximum of six people total, exclusive of children under age 12. The state Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410) sleeping-room minimums of 70 square feet for one sleeper plus 50 square feet for each additional sleeper apply on top of this cap. Renting rooms rather than the entire unit is prohibited.
Can I rent out a room in my Revere house on Airbnb?
No. Revere Code Chapter 8.09 prohibits short-term rental of rooms or other partial spaces - only entire residential units may be rented. The operator must own the property and the property must contain the operator's primary Revere residence. Use is also capped at six cumulative months of rental per calendar year.
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